Teacher held for child-rape kills self

Phayonsak Udom, 58, a former teacher at Ban Nayang School in Sop Prap district, was reportedly a suspect in the rape of a girl and fled the province to avoid a subpoena. A warrant had been issued for his arrest for allegedly kidnapping and raping a 15-year-old female student, police said.

He was arrested at an apartment in Pathum Thani province and later remanded in custody at Thoen police station in Lampang.

Police said Phayonsak used a blanket to hang himself inside the prison.

Police claimed stress, shame and fear of punishment prompted the suspect to take his own life.